Heather Wallace

WALLACE, HEATHER
age 81, of Minneapolis and Puerto Vallarta, MX on October 11, 2015. Preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Patrick Johnson. Survived by her children Kimie (Kamran) Aryai, Los Angeles CA, Christopher (Miki Miwa-Johnson) Johnson, Golden Valley, and Jason (Melissa Hansen) Johnson, Minneapolis; grandchildren John Jay, Michael and Bridgette Burks, Patrick and Eloise Johnson.

Heather was a unique individual, who lived a life filled with adventures. She was born in Eau Claire, WI on October 24, 1933, and grew up in Boyd, WI. She joined the Women's Air Corps when she was 17, married while serving in the WACs, and lived in England for a time. When her family moved to Minneapolis, she became involved in the Great Books Discussion program, leading many groups for both children and adults.
She began studying yoga in the early 1970s, became a yoga instructor, and was affiliated with a number of hospitals and other institutions teaching yoga as both treatment and aftercare. Through her studies, Heather created her own bodywork technique, The Wallace Method. She trained a number of practitioners, taught weekly classes, and worked with hundreds of clients during her thirty-plus years as a gifted healer and teacher.

Heather traveled extensively: to India to study yoga; trekking in the Himalayas; to Nepal, Thailand, Europe, Australia, Jordan, Argentina, Alaska, and often to Mexico, with friends and family. She especially enjoyed traveling with her grandchildren, John Jay, Michael and Bridgette. She was "Auntie Mame," planning vacations with each of them individually when they were in their early teens, and taking each to a special place - Denali, Alaska, Copper Canyon in Mexico, and Vancouver, Canada.

Heather will be remembered for her brilliant mind, her dry wit, and her absolute insistence on living life on her own terms

As friends, practitioners, and former clients respond to news of Heather's death, one theme has been expressed a number of times: knowing Heather as an individual and experiencing her work, has for many people been a life-changing experience. She will be remembered with gratitude for the opportunity to live without pain that her method afforded them.

Through seven years of struggling with a diagnosis of Parkinson's and Lewy Body dementia, Heather remained fiercely determined to be involved in life in any way she could. Her courage in adjusting to her life with limitations and challenges has inspired many of us to look at our own lives with acceptance, and to try to emulate her grace under pressure. She will be missed.

A gathering to remember Heather will be held on Saturday, October 31 at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 3131 Minnehaha Avenue. There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. with a Time of Sharing of Memories at 11 a.m., followed by a light lunch. Memorials preferred to Gianna Homes, 4605 E. Fairhills Road, Minnetonka, MN 55345